The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-05-27
The Old Scouts Sacrifice.
BY N. VICTOR sTALEY,


Say, Jack, whence comes that
smoke which rises from behind yonder
hill?'
The question comes from youth who
stands leaning on his rifle beneath the
shade of a dense growth of trees
which fringe the edge of small stream,
a tributary of the Rio Grande, in the
Territory of Arizona. The person ad-
dressed is Jack Ankerney, ranchman
and prairie scout. He is heavily built
tall and straight as an arrow, 4 fine
specimen of manhood. On his head
he wears broad sombrero, while in
his belt glistens large bowie knife and
the usual brace of revolVers.
The young man whose query opens
this sketch is Dick Arguson, a nephew
of the Old scout, but lately arrived on
visit from the States. As he asks the
question, the scout arises from the
grassy knoll on which he is reclining,
and gazes in the direction indicated.
Presently he exclaims, Indians,
Dick, or my name is not Jack Anker-
ney. They must be again on the war
path, for l can swear that is Capt.
Raton's ranch" Then more hurriedly,
AMOUNT your nag, nv hoy. we must
ride over and investigate"
But, as Dick starts to untether the
ponies, the old scout again exclaims,
Hold! if ann not mistaken, l beheld
a horseman just descend yonder rise in
the prairie" "
Taking small field glass from pock-
ct in his buckskin blouse, be looks
long and earnestly to the westward.
at is as thought 'Tis Capt. Ration,
and how fast he rides! All! he is pur-
sued. A band Of red rascals press hard
behind, and he is heading straight for
this chaparal. He rides Whip-poor-
will, the fastest p:.>se of horse-hesh in
this section, and will out-distance them
jet. =
Thus the moments fly, Dick and the
old scout anxiously watching the cx-
citing race. On, on, DER the prairie
come the pHrsuers and pursued, the
distance between them slowly widen
ing as Whip-poor-wlll bears his rider
forward
'Ha, ha, har' laughs the scout,
ssyou may as well turn back my red
friends, for your prey is eluding your
grasp"
But even as he speaks. the noble
animal pitches forward and falls heavi-
" to the ground. The Captain leaps
to his feet and, seeing that his horse is
too badly injured to be of further ser
vice. quickly puts ball through his
brain TO end its suiferngs. and, turn
ing, speeds on toward the chaparal.
His pursuers. realizing his misfortune,
with yells of triumph urge their ponies
on with new zeal.
Get your rifle, Dick. exclaims the
scout. 'and we'll give those red
devils warm reception.
Meanwhile the CAPTAIN, now close
enough TO observe that friends are
near, speeds on with renewed courage.
His pursuers. WHO before seemed
bent on capture. now realizing that
be is likely to escape, unsling their
rifles and fire repeatedly at their IN
tended victim who is making every
endeavor 80 reach the friendly cover.
On, on, he comes, the bullets whist,
ling around him yet without taking
effect
As bis pursuers draw nearer, howev.
es. their aim becomes more certain;
and. just as he reaches the edge Of the
timber, he receives wound in the leg
and falls forward into the arms Of the
old scout outstretched to receive him,
who, after bearing him to q safe shell
ter. selects a large tree and from iii
friendly cover watches the approach oi
the dusky warriors.
As they arrive within easy range oi